Ruggedized tradesworkers radio

ABSTRACT

A tradesworker&#39;s radio has a weather and impact resistant features to enable a tradesworker to use the radio under adverse working conditions, such as construction or other work sites. Louvered grills covering moisture resistant loudspeakers are angled downward to protect the speakers from direct splash in case the radio is left outdoors in a heavy downpour. A layer of felt-like material is interspersed between the louvered grills and the loudspeaker cones to offer improved moisture resistance. A non-telescoping antenna of the rubber covered spring type material folds neatly into recess when not in use. The controls include waterproof pushbuttons for on/off, volume adjustment, a weather channel, AM/FM selection and tuning. Elastomeric blocks are bonded to the interior of the housing and the blocks have bonded threaded studs, which are used to shock mount the radio circuit board to the inside of the housing. This circuit board is treated with a conformal coating to improve its moisture resistance. The preferred housing material is a layer of rigid plastic, which is impact resistant and the outer covering is a resilient tough elastomer. The radio can be used with an adapter to convert to a power hand tool battery pack to accommodate a variety of different battery packs and adapters. The battery compartment is generous in size and lined with a soft polyurethane material to protect the battery pack from damage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to durable, rugged radios fortradesworker in construction and other worksites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Tradespersons working at construction sites regularly useportable radios for entertainment and to obtain weather reports.However, these radios lack certain features that would be desirable forsuch use. Small radios often lack the power desirable for overcomingambient noise of other workers or to carry the sound over long distancesoutdoors. Although “boom boxes” may have the desired power output, theylack the ruggedness and splash proofing that is desirable. Otherfeatures, such as the convenient use of rechargeable batteries, aremissing as well.

[0003] The prior art relates to some of these shortcomings. U.S. Pat.No. 4,006,764 of Yamamoto et al. relates to a protection case that canbe used to enclose a tape recorder or radio to protect it from waterspray or dust without seriously impeding sound transmission. U.S. Pat.No. 4,709,201 of Schaefer et al. discloses a modular battery pack withan on/off switch and contacts arranged for various modes of operation.U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,970 of Jaramillo et al. relates to a splash proofportable two-way data terminal/radio. It describes the use oftongue-in-groove elastomeric gaskets in the housing assembly as well asair-permeable water resistant material to achieve its results.

[0004] Other prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,592 of Muckelrath,which describes a field remote control radio transmitter/receiver whichincludes a weather resistant enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,830 of Kimdiscloses a radio receiver which integrates a weather channel therein.U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,732 of Mileski and U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,813 of Gammeldescribe field oriented military radio systems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,994of Cariou describes a waterproof coating material.

[0005] Shock-mounts for mounting delicate objects are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,395,619 and 4,395,619, both of Harigai and U.S. Pat. No.4,586,115 of Zimmerman. Retractable electric cords are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 3,984,645 of Kresch. Moreover, portable radios are described ingeneral in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,318 of Forrester.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide a radio withimproved impact resistance.

[0007] It is a further object to provide a radio that has a built-inretractable line cord for operation from an AC supply.

[0008] It is yet another object to be able to power the radio withmodular batteries normally used in professional portable power tools.

[0009] It is a further object to be able to recharge the batteries witha built-in recharger while simultaneously powering the radio from an ACsupply.

[0010] It is yet another object to provide a splash proof radio.

[0011] It is another object to include a switch-selectable weather bandtuned to the National Weather Service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In keeping with those objects and others which may becomeapparent, the present invention includes a durable portable radio fortradesworkers with a weather and impact resistant enclosure having anexterior surface and an interior space. The enclosure houses a radioreceiver for receiving radio signals and generating electronic audiooutput signals responsive thereto.

[0013] The enclosure of the radio is preferably made of a shock andwater resistant solid elastomer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styene(ABS). The exterior surface of the radio enclosure has a plurality ofplanar surfaces, wherein a foldable antenna is insertable within arecess extending below one planar surface of the plurality of surfaces.

[0014] A handle is formed from a slot extending through a pair ofopposite planar surfaces of the radio, and a ventilation opening extendsfrom the interior space of said radio.

[0015] The weather and impact resistant enclosure includes one or moredownward angled louvered grills covering one or more moisture resistantloudspeakers.

[0016] The weather and impact resistant enclosure includes a moistureresistant sound transmitter insulating layer between the louvered grilland the loudspeaker.

[0017] A plurality of waterproof push buttons control on/off control,volume adjustment, AM/FM section an optional weather channel andfrequency tuning.

[0018] To prevent moisture buildup, the weather and impact resistantenclosure includes a hydrophobic air permeable therein.

[0019] The radio is powered by either a first power source including anelectrical cord engageable with an electrical outlet, or a second powersource including an adapter engageable with a secondary direct currentpower source, such as a tradesworker's hand tool battery pack.

[0020] The first power source includes a retractable line cord, which isretractable within a subhousing enclosure within the radio.

[0021] The radio receiver is shock mounted to an interior wall of theweather and impact resistant enclosure by a plurality of elastomericblocks bonded to the interior wall of the weather and impact resistanthousing enclosure. The radio receiver itself is preferably coated with amoisture resistant conformed coating, such as acrylic or paralyene.

[0022] One or more watertight formed-in-place gaskets seal openingswithin the weather and impact resistant enclosure.

[0023] The alternate DC power source may include a battery pack having avoltage of between about 9.6 to about 18 volts, preferably about 12volts.

[0024] The secondary DC power source may optionally include acombination power supply and battery charger supplied with 115 VAC,which supplies about 13.6 volts through a diode and a switch to theradio receiver. A button causes the power supply to supply voltagethrough the diode, and the diode feeds current from the power supply tothe radio receiver.

[0025] Alternately, a plurality of diodes may act as an automaticsteering and isolation network to supply either AC supplied current,battery power or simultaneous power and battery charging from AC power.

[0026] An optional variable voltage feature permits use of battery packslower or higher than 12 volts to be used by the radio. The variablevoltage feature includes a socket having a plurality of contacts matingwith an adapter, matching predetermined requirements of a DC sourcebattery pack, and a double pole single throw on/off switch controlling aDC/DC power source converter for supplying power to said radio.

[0027] As a result, the radio provides a tradesworker with a rugged,durable radio to provide audio entertainment and news under adverseworking conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention can best be described in conjunction withthe following drawings, in which;

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tradesman's radio of thepresent invention;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a view of the rear panel of the radio as in FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a back view of the radio as in FIG. 1 with the rearpanel removed;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a cross section of the housing material of the radio asin FIG. 1;

[0033]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a power socket, adapter and modularbattery of the radio as in FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the radio as in FIG. 1; and

[0035]FIG. 7 is a schematic of an alternate embodiment of the radio ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036]FIG. 1 shows the tradesman's radio 1. Housing 13 is a moldedplastic structure, although alternate rugged materials such as aircraftaluminum can be used. Stainless steel louvered grills 11 cover themoisture resistant loudspeakers. Louvered grills 11 are angled downwardto protect the speakers from direct splash in case radio 1 is leftoutdoors in a heavy downpour.

[0037] A layer of felt-like material such as described in Jaramillo etal. U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,970 can be interspersed between the louveredgrills 11 and the loudspeaker cones to offer improved moistureresistance. An example of such material which allows good soundtransmission while blocking moisture is known as NB-25, manufactured byNu-Way Speaker Products, Inc.

[0038] Non-telescoping antenna 2 is of the rubber covered spring typematerial; it folds neatly into recess 3 when not in use. The controlsinclude waterproof pushbuttons for on/off 3, volume adjustment 4 & 5,weather channel 6, AM/FM selection 7 and tuning 9 & 10. The digitaltuning display 8 is either a self-illuminating vacuum fluorescentdisplay or an LCD backlighted by an electro-luminescent back lightpanel. Both of these technologies are common in automotive radioapplications. Side door 12 with piano hinge 15 and slide latch 14provide access to the retractable cord. A similar door (not shown) onthe other side provides access to the battery compartment. Both doorsare sealed watertight with appropriate gaskets.

[0039]FIG. 2 shows back panel 20 of radio 1. Back panel 20 is screwed tohousing 13 with screws 26. Slot 24 is a hand recess for carrying radio1. Small stainless steel louver 25 is a vent to prevent moisture buildupwithin radio housing 13. Louver 25 covers an opening in cover 20 thathas a layer of hydrophobic air-permeable material such as Tyvek made bythe DuPont Company. Other such materials of different composition areoften used in medical applications; these may be used here as well.

[0040] Waterproof button 23 turns on the battery charger; indicator 22lights up during charging operations. Both of these are accessiblethrough opening 21.

[0041]FIG. 3 shows the interior of housing 13 when back panel 20 isremoved. Retractable line cord housing 32 is at the left. Batterycompartment 31 is at the right atop charger housing 30. Molded recess 35communicates with the hand hold slot in back cover 20.

[0042] To prevent damage to radio 1, a plurality of elastomeric blocks34, such as four, are bonded to the interior of housing 13. Blocks 34have bonded threaded studs which are used to shock mount radio circuitboard 33. Circuit board 33 is treated with a conformal coating such asacrylic or paralyene to improve its moisture resistance.

[0043] All removable elements that penetrate or mount to housing 13 orback panel 20 are sealed watertight with appropriate gaskets or sealant.“Formed-in-place” gaskets 36 are shown around the back edge of housing13 to seal cover 20. Another such gasket 37 is shown on the surface ofcharger housing 30 to seal opening 21 in back cover 20.

[0044] The preferred housing material is a layer of ABS (acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene) covered by a layer of polyurethane of approximately50 durometers as a superbly impact resistant outer material. FIG. 4shows this combination in cross section where 41 is the layer of ABS and40 is the layer of polyurethane. Other combinations are also applicableas long as the rigid plastic is quite impact resistant and the outercovering is a resilient tough elastomer.

[0045] Modern battery operated professional power tools use batterypacks ranging from 9.6 to 18 volts. By selecting a 12 volt battery packfor the radio 1, an automotive AM/FM radio circuit board and display(augmented with a weather receiver) can be used with littlemodification. These come with powerful audio amplifier output stages anddigital lighted displays. It is desirable to use a battery pack that isalso used in other tools owned by the tradesman, or is at least the samebrand. However, battery packs from different manufacturers, even of thesame voltage ratings, have different contact configurations. Forexample, the Porter Cable 8500 battery pack is different from the DeWaltDW9071 even though both have similar ratings. For this purpose, FIG. 5shows the arrangement using a standard socket 45 attached to the radio1, with a replaceable adapter 46 which mates properly with both socket45 at one end and a particular 12 volt battery pack 48 with its contacts49. A variety of these adapters 46 are available for use.

[0046]FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of the electrical system. Acombination power supply and battery charger 30 is supplied with 115 VACvia plug 51 and retractable cord 50. It supplies approximately 13.6volts through silicon diode 56 to the radio electronics circuit board 33through on/off switch 3. When button 23 is engaged, appropriate chargevoltage is supplied to battery pack 48 through diode 55. Diode 54 feedscurrent from battery 48 to circuit 33 in the event that module 30 is notplugged into an outlet. The three diodes (54,55 and 56) act as anautomatic steering and isolation network to supply AC supplied currentto operate radio 1, battery power to the radio 1, or to simultaneouslypower and charge the batteries from AC. In all cases, a nominal 12 volts(i.e. 12 to 13.2 volts), is supplied to radio circuit board 33, whichpowers loudspeakers 52 and 53.

[0047] In an alternate embodiment, additional circuitry is provided topermit the use of battery packs lower or higher than 12 volts to be usedin radio 1. In this embodiment, socket 45 is replaced with socket 70which now has six contacts mating with adapter 61, which match therequirements of a particular battery pack 60. The on/off switch is nowupgraded to a double pole single throw variety for controlling outputDC/DC converter 68 for battery operation of radio 1. This extra pair ofcontacts eliminate the “standby” losses of converter 68 when radio 1 isturned off.

[0048] Charging DC/DC converter 69 is selected via relay 70 when thecharger is turned on. Although electromagnetic relay 70 is shown, asolid state relay can be used instead. If battery pack 60 has a voltagerating higher than 12 volts (e.g. 18 volts), the output converter 68 isa step down type reducing the battery voltage to a nominal 12 voltswhile charge converter 69 is a step up converting a nominal 12 voltsfrom the charger to a nominal 18 volts at the battery. If the batteryvoltage were lower than 12 volts (e.g. 9.6 volts), the output converter68 is a step up type while the charging converter 69 is a step downtype. Diodes 56 and 67 are used for power steering while diodes 66 and65 are used for DC/DC converter isolation.

[0049] To accommodate a variety of different battery packs and adapters,the battery compartment is generously oversize and lined with a softpolyurethane material to protect the battery pack from damage.

[0050] It is further known that other modifications may be made to therugged tradesworker's radio of the present invention, without departingfrom the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A durable portable radio for tradesworkers comprising: aweather and impact resistant enclosure having an exterior surface and aninterior space; radio receiver means for receiving radio signals andgenerating electronic audio output signals responsive thereto; saidexterior surface having a plurality of planar surfaces, a foldableantenna insertable within a recess extending below one planar surface ofsaid plurality of surfaces, a handle comprising a slot extending througha pair of opposite planar surfaces of said radio, a ventilation openingextending from said interior space of said radio, a first power sourceincluding an electrical cord engageable with an electrical outlet, andan second power source including an adapter engageable with a secondarydirect current power source.
 2. The durable portable radio fortradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein said weather and impact resistantenclosure comprises at least one downward angled louvered grill coveringat least one moisture resistant loudspeaker.
 3. The durable portableradio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein said weather and impactresistant enclosure comprises a moisture resistant sound transmittableinsulating layer between said louvered grill and said loudspeaker. 4.The durable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein saidweather and impact resistant enclosure includes a plurality ofwaterproof push buttons for on/off control, volume adjustment, AM/FMselection and frequency tuning.
 5. The durable portable radio fortradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein said weather and impact resistantenclosure includes a hydrophobic air permeable layer therein.
 6. Thedurable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein saidfirst power source includes a retractable line cord, said line coreretractable within a subhousing enclosure within said weather resistantenclosure.
 7. The durable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1wherein said weather and impact resistant enclosure comprises aacrylonitrile budadiene styrene covered by a layer of polyurethane. 8.The durable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein saidweather and impact resistant enclosure comprises a resilient solidelastomer.
 9. The durable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1wherein said radio receiver means is shock mounted to an interior wallof said weather and impact resistant enclosure by a plurality ofelastomeric blocks bonded to said interior wall of said weather andimpact resistant enclosure.
 10. The durable portable radio fortradesworkers as in claim 9 wherein said radio receiver means comprisesa circuit board, said circuit board being coated with a moistureresistant conformal coating.
 11. The durable portable radio fortradesworkers as in claim 9 wherein said moisture resistant conformalcoating is acrylic.
 12. The durable portable radio for tradesworkers asin claim 9 wherein said moisture resistant conformal coating isparalyene.
 13. The durable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim1 further comprising at least one watertight formed in place gasketsealing openings within said weather and impact resistant enclosure. 14.The durable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein saidradio receiver means includes a weather channel receiver.
 15. Thedurable portable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein saidsecond power source includes a battery pack having a voltage of betweenabout 9.6 to about 18 volts.
 16. The durable portable radio fortradesworkers as in claim 15 wherein said battery pack of said secondpower source has a voltage of about 12 volts.
 17. The durable portableradio for tradesworkers as in claim 1 wherein said second power sourcefurther includes a combination power supply and battery charger suppliedwith 115 VAC, which supplies about 13.6 volts DC through a diode and aswitch to said radio receiver means, a button causing said power supplyto supply said voltage through said diode, said diode feeding currentfrom said power supply to said radio receiver means.
 18. The durableportable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 17 further comprising aplurality of diodes acting as an automatic steering and isolationnetwork to supply either AC supplied current, battery power orsimultaneous power and battery charging from AC power.
 19. The durableportable radio for tradesworkers as in claim 17 further comprising ameans to permit use of battery packs lower or higher than 12 volts to beused by said radio, said means comprising a socket having a plurality ofcontacts mating with an adapter matching predetermined requirements of aDC source power battery pack, and a double pole single throw on/offswitch controlling a Dc/DC power source converter for supplying power tosaid radio.
 20. A durable portable radio for tradesworkers comprising: aweather and impact resistant enclosure having an exterior surface and aninterior space; a radio receiver means for receiving radio signals andgenerating electronic audio output signals responsive thereto; anexterior surface having a plurality of planar surfaces, a foldableantenna insertable within a recess extending below one planar surface ofsaid plurality of surfaces, a handle comprising a slot extending througha pair of opposite planar surfaces of said radio, a ventilation openingextending from said interior space of said radio covered with ahydrophobic air permeable layer, a first power source including anelectrical cord engageable with an electrical outlet; said line cordretractable within a subhousing enclosure within said weather resistantenclosure; at least one downward angled louvered grill covering at leastone moisture resistant loudspeaker; a moisture resistant soundtransmittable insulating layer between said louvered grill and saidloudspeaker; at least one watertight formed in place gasket sealingopenings within said weather and impact resistant enclosure; a pluralityof waterproof push buttons for on/off control, volume adjustment, AM/FMselection and frequency tuning; said radio receiver including a circuitboard; said radio receiver circuit board being shock mounted to aninterior wall of said weather and impact resistant enclosure by aplurality of elastomeric blocks bonded to said interior wall of saidweather and impact resistant enclosure; said radio receiver circuitboard being coated with a moisture resistant conformal coating; saidradio receiver means including a weather channel receiver; a secondpower source including an adapter engageable with a secondary directcurrent power source, said second power source including a battery packhaving a voltage of between 9.6 to about 18 volts; said second powersource including a combination power supply and battery charger suppliedwith 115 VAC, which supplies about 13.6 volts DC through a diode and aswitch to said radio receiver means, a button causing said power supplyto supply said voltage through said diode, said diode feeding currentfrom said power supply to said radio receiver means; a plurality ofdiodes acting as an automatic steering and isolation network to supplyeither AC supplied current, battery power or simultaneous power andbattery charging from AC power; and a means to permit use of batterypacks lower or higher than 12 volts to be used by said radio, said meanscomprising a socket having a plurality of contacts mating with anadapter matching predetermined requirements of a DC source power batterypack, and a double pole single throw on/off switch controlling a DC/DCpower source converter for supplying power to said radio.